Patents by Inventor Yasuhiro Kojima

Yasuhiro Kojima has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20100320353
    Abstract: A vehicle seat slide device includes a lower rail, an upper rail, retainers arranged between both rails, and a plurality of rolling members rollably carried by the retainer and rolled in contact with the both rails. Each retainer is composed of a retainer body and protrusions protruding from the retainer body. These protrusions and the retainer body are bodily formed with a resin material. By providing the retainer with the protrusions, it results that the protrusions necessarily contact the both rails whenever the retainer and the both rails contact each other, so that a strange sound is deterred from being generated when the upper rail is slidden relative to the lower rail with the retainer being in contact with one or both of the rails.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2008
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Kojima, Hideo Nihonmatsu
  • Publication number: 20100314523
    Abstract: A lower rail 3 has a first cut-and-raised piece 22, and an upper rail 4 has a second cut-and-raised piece 23. The first and second cut-and-raised pieces 22, 23 each have a facing surface 22a, 23a that faces and is contactable with the facing surface of the other cut-and-raised piece along the moving direction of the upper rail 4. The first and second cut-and-raised pieces 22, 23 are engaged with each other so as to limit the movement range of the upper rail 4 relative to the lower rail 3. On the facing surface 22a and the facing surface 23a, inclination angles ? and ? are provided that generate a force causing the first and second cut-and-raised pieces 22, 23 to be more deeply engaged with each other, respectively. This prevents the first and second cut-and-raised pieces 22, 23 from being easily disengaged from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Kojima, Hideo Nihonmatsu
  • Patent number: 7837019
    Abstract: A clutch device for a seat lifting apparatus of a vehicle includes a friction brake portion for transmitting rotation of an operational lever to an output shaft, an output gear provided at the output shaft, a biasing force receiving portion provided at the output shaft for receiving a biasing force which assists a rotation of the output shaft, a first bearing portion provided at one side of the biasing force receiving portion and the output gear and a second bearing portion provided at the other side of the biasing force receiving portion and the output gear. The first bearing portion and the second bearing portion rotatably support the output shaft at both sides of the biasing force receiving portion and the output gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yukifumi Yamada, Yasuhiro Kojima
  • Patent number: 7815159
    Abstract: A vehicle seat sliding apparatus includes a first rail adapted to be fixed to any one of a vehicle floor and a seat; and a second rail adapted to be fixed to the other one of the vehicle floor and the seat. The second rail includes an in-rail functional portion formed at an end portion of the first rail in terms of the longitudinal direction so as to project into an internal space formed by the first rail to achieve a predetermined function; a recessed portion formed around the in-rail functional portion in association with the formation of the in-rail functional portion; and a protector adapted to be mounted on an end portion of the first rail in terms of the longitudinal direction and cover the end portion thereof. The protector is formed with a projection adapted to fit the recessed portion to couple the protector and the first rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Genta Moriyama, Yasuhiro Kojima, Hideo Nihonmatsu, Yoshihisa Hori, Mikihito Nagura
  • Patent number: 7810886
    Abstract: A lock device capable of suppressing a lack of smoothness in an unlocking operation, and of suppressing, in a case a plurality of lock members are operated by a cam member, unevenness in the timing for the plurality of lock members to become engaged in a locking operation. Guide portions of a lower guide include a plurality of cam guide faces that are arranged away from each other in the circumferential direction. A cam includes a plurality of guided faces that respectively abut against the plurality of cam guide faces in a release phase. The guided face in a direction in which the cam is decentered by a biasing force of the lock spring is extended to the release phase side with respect to the other guided faces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mikihito Nagura, Yasuhiro Kojima
  • Patent number: 7794018
    Abstract: A vehicle seat having a seat cushion may include a pair of slide devices disposed on a vehicle floor, a pair of lock devices respectively provided to the slide devices, and an operation mechanism of the lock devices. The slide devices are arranged and constructed to slide the vehicle seat on the vehicle floor. The lock devices are capable of releasably locking the vehicle seat at a desired position on the vehicle floor. The operation mechanism includes a synchronization member having an operation member. The synchronization member is disposed above the slide devices and is linked to the lock devices via a linking mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignees: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha, Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomokazu Fukuda, Masahiro Fujieda, Yasuhiro Kojima
  • Patent number: 7789368
    Abstract: A seat slide device for a vehicle capable of preventing generation of noise includes lower rails, upper rails, lock mechanisms, release levers, and stoppers. Each lock mechanism includes a plurality of lock holes provided on the lower rail and arranged in the longitudinal direction of the lower rail and a lock lever provided on the upper rail to be pivotable about a pivot axis extending in the longitudinal direction of the upper rail for engagement with and disengagement from the lock holes. Further, each release lever pivots the lock lever to release the engagement of the lock holes with the lock lever, and each stopper restricts the position at which the release lever remains separated from the lock lever. At least contact portions of the release lever with the lock lever and the stopper are provided with a coating layer made of a resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yukifumi Yamada, Yasuhiro Kojima
  • Publication number: 20100207419
    Abstract: A stopper includes an attachment portion and a pair of flanges. The attachment portion contacts an outer surface of a bottom wall portion of a lower rail and is attached to the bottom wall portion. The flanges extend from the attachment portion to be passed through insertion holes in the bottom wall portion. The flanges are located in an inner space of the lower rail. The flanges are engaged with second cut-and-raised pieces formed in an upper rail, thereby limiting the range of movement of the upper rail relative to the lower rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Kojima, Hideo Nihonmatsu, Yoshihisa Hori
  • Patent number: 7770863
    Abstract: A seat apparatus for a vehicle includes a lower rail fixed to a vehicle floor and an upper rail slidably supported relative to the lower rail and having a U-shaped cross section opened downward. The seat apparatus includes a supporting member integrally formed with a bottom wall portion and fixed, at both longitudinal ends thereof, to an upper portion of the upper rail and a side wall portion extending upward from at least one width directional end of the bottom wall portion. The supporting member supports a vehicle seat. The supporting member includes a curved portion integrally formed at an intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction of the bottom wall portion of the supporting member and curved upward to be distant from the upper rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yukifumi Yamada, Yasuhiro Kojima
  • Patent number: 7766427
    Abstract: A seat device for a vehicle adapted to adjust a positional height of a seat cushion includes rails, frames supporting the seat cushion, link members, a torque rod connecting link members, a sector gear formed so as to operate together with one of the link members and rotatably supported by one of the frames, an elongated hole formed on the sector gear, a pinion gear meshing with the sector gear, a pressing bracket supported by the pinion gear, a stopper pin inserted into the elongated hole of the sector gear and connected to the one of the frames at a first end of the stopper pin and to the pressing bracket at a second end of the stopper pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Kojima, Yukifumi Yamada
  • Patent number: 7758124
    Abstract: A seat apparatus for a vehicle includes a seat cushion, a lower arm, a seat back, an upper arm, an intermediate arm, a reclining mechanism, and a lock mechanism. The lock mechanism includes a first plate member, a second plate member, and a pawl gear. The first plate member is fixed to one of the upper arm and the intermediate arm to be provided therein with a plurality of internal tooth sections each of which has a plurality of teeth with different widths. The second plate member is fixed to the other one of the upper arm and the intermediate arm so as to be supported by the first plate member to rotate relative thereto. The pawl gear is supported by the second plate member and has an external tooth section each of which has a plurality of teeth with different widths for engaging with the internal tooth sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Kojima, Hideo Nihonmatsu, Mikihito Nagura
  • Patent number: 7758008
    Abstract: A seat sliding apparatus for a vehicle includes a lower rail including a base bottom portion, first inner and outer side portions, upper portions, and second inner and outer side portions, an upper rail movably supported relative to the lower rail and including a base top portion, first inner and outer extending portions, connecting portions, and second inner and outer extending portions, a lock mechanism including a lock portion provided at the first inner side portion, a bracket, and a lock member engageable with and disengageable from the lock portion, a cutout portion formed across the base top portion and the first inner extending portion and into which the lock member is inserted, and through-holes provided at the second inner extending portion and the bracket, respectively, the through-holes into which the lock member is inserted while the lock member is engaging with the lock portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Kojima, Hideo Nihonmatsu, Mikihito Nagura
  • Publication number: 20100176265
    Abstract: A seat slide device for a vehicle includes a lower rail, an upper rail movable relative to the lower rail and a lock member for restricting the relative movement of the upper and lower rails. The restriction of the relative movement can be released and the lock-released position can be retained. The seat slide device further includes a memory piece detachably engaged with the lower rail and provided in a direction separating from the lower rail and engaging therewith when a seatback is reclined forward, wherein the memory piece is moved in association with the movement of the upper rail by retaining the memory piece at the receiving portion and the shaped portion when the memory piece is separated from the lower rail and wherein the memory piece is engaged with the lower rail at the engaging portion when the memory piece is engaged with the lower rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuhiro KOJIMA, Hideo Nihonmatsu, Mikihito Nagura
  • Patent number: 7735798
    Abstract: A seat sliding apparatus for a vehicle includes a lower rail fixed to a vehicle floor, an upper rail fixed to a vehicle seat and supported by the lower rail so as to be movable relative thereto, and a lock mechanism including multiple lock portions provided on the lower rail along a longitudinal direction thereof, a spindle provided on the upper rail and having a rotation axis that extends in a longitudinal direction of the upper rail, and a lock member rotating about the rotation axis and engageable with or disengageable from the lock portions. The spindle is supported by a recess portion formed in a surface of the upper rail in an inwardly extending manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Kojima
  • Publication number: 20100133407
    Abstract: An upper rail constituting a slide mechanism has engagement surface portions and engagement surface portions each having a projected surface portion. The engagement surface portions are positioned at front and rear two portions of the upper rail. A lower rail has detent surface portions formed between the engagement surface portions and the engagement surface portions. The detent surface portions are covered with the upper rail. When the engagement surface portions or the engagement surface portions contact the detent surface portions due to sliding of the upper rail, a vehicle seat can be prevented from sliding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicants: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA, AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masahiro Fujieda, Yasuhiro Kojima
  • Patent number: 7717509
    Abstract: A vehicle seat apparatus includes a pair of vehicle-width spaced lower arms attached to a seat cushion, each of the lower arms having a rear portion; a connecting member fixed to the rear portion of each of the lower arms; a pair of vehicle-width spaced upper arms attached to a seat back, each of the upper arms being pivoted by a rotational shaft to the rear portion of the corresponding lower arm to rotate relative thereto; a reclining apparatus provided at one of the connecting member and serving for restricting and allowing the upper arms to rotate; and a load receiving portion provided at one of the lower arms for receiving a downward load, when the downward load is transmitted from the connecting member to the rear portion of one of the lower arms, by being brought into engagement with at least one of the upper arm, the reclining apparatus, and the connecting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Kojima
  • Patent number: 7717490
    Abstract: A seat slide device for a vehicle includes a lower rail, an upper rail movable relative to the lower rail and a lock member for restricting the relative movement of the upper and lower rails. The restriction of the relative movement can be released and the lock-released position can be retained. The seat slide device further includes a memory piece detachably engaged with the lower rail and provided in a direction separating from the lower rail and engaging therewith when a seatback is reclined forward, wherein the memory piece is moved in association with the movement of the upper rail by retaining the memory piece at the receiving portion and the shaped portion when the memory piece is separated from the lower rail and wherein the memory piece is engaged with the lower rail at the engaging portion when the memory piece is engaged with the lower rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Kojima, Hideo Nihonmatsu, Mikihito Nagura
  • Publication number: 20100090081
    Abstract: A vehicle seat sliding apparatus having a lower rail adapted to be fixed to a vehicle floor and an upper rail adapted to be fixed to a seat and connected to the lower rail so as to be movable with respect to the lower rail includes: a lock lever adapted to be connected rotatably to the upper rail and engaged with the lower rail for selectively restricting the movement of the upper rail with respect to the lower rail; an operating lever adapted to be connected rotatably to a supporting bracket adapted to support the seat in the direction of rotation different from the direction of rotation of the lock lever above the lock lever; and a connecting rod adapted to be connected at one end and the other end directly to the lock lever and the operating lever respectively, and adapted to transmit an operating force to release restriction of the movement with respect to the lock lever by a pressing operation in association with the rotation of the operating lever.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Kojima, Hideo Nihonmatsu, Yoshihisa Hori
  • Publication number: 20100090080
    Abstract: In a vehicle seat sliding apparatus wherein rotating an operating lever causes a lock lever to allow a sliding movement of an upper rail along a lower rail, the operating lever is held within a bracket connected to the upper rail via torsion spring. The torsion spring is made from a single piece of wire and formed into a specific shape for easy provision of the operating lever to the bracket during an assembly of the seat sliding apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Kojima, Hideo Nihonmatsu, Ryousuke Mizuno, Mikihito Nagura
  • Publication number: 20100090084
    Abstract: A vehicle seat sliding apparatus includes: a first rail adapted to be fixed to any one of a vehicle floor and a seat; and a second rail adapted to be fixed to the other one of the vehicle floor and the seat and adapted to be connected to the first rail so as to be capable of relative movement with respect to the first rail. The first rail includes: a pair of side wall portions juxtaposed on both sides in terms of the widthwise direction; a connecting wall portion connecting proximal ends of the both side wall portions; and first folded-back wall portions protruded from distal ends of the both side wall portions in the widthwise direction and then folded back toward proximal end sides of the side wall portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Genta MORIYAMA, Yasuhiro KOJIMA, Hideo NIHONMATSU, Yoshihisa HORI, Mikihito NAGURA